Sore-throat compositions and related methods

Abstract

Methods for alleviating sore throat conditions and related compositions. In some such compositions, at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol and/or at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor may be present in a concentration effective for reducing a concentration of sore-throat causing microorganisms in a patient's throat. The composition may further comprise at least one coating agent in a concentration effective for prolonging the presence of the at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol and/or at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor in a patient's throat to treat the sore throat condition.

1 . A method for treating a sore throat condition, the method comprising the steps of:
 identifying a subject having a sore throat condition;   providing a composition comprising at least one of a non-hexose sugar alcohol and a non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor, wherein the at least one of a non-hexose sugar alcohol and a non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor is present in a concentration of between about 10% and about 60% by weight; and   delivering the composition into the subject's throat to treat the sore throat condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of a non-hexose sugar alcohol and a non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor in a concentration of between about 20% and about 55% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of a non-hexose sugar alcohol and a non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor in a concentration of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of a non-hexose sugar alcohol and a non-hexose sugar alcohol precursor comprises only at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol comprises only at least one of xylitol and erythritol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol comprises only xylitol. 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating a sore throat condition, the method comprising the steps of:
 identifying a subject having a sore throat condition;   providing a composition comprising:
 at least one of xylitol, xylose, erythritol, ribose, and arabinose in a concentration of between about 20% and about 55% by weight; and 
 at least one coating agent comprising at least one of glycerin, sodium alginate, propylene glycol, and carboxymethylcellulose sodium in a concentration effective for prolonging the presence of the at least one of xylitol, xylose, erythritol, ribose, and arabinose in a patient's throat to treat the sore throat condition; and 
   delivering the composition into the subject's throat to treat the sore throat condition.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one of xylitol, xylose, erythritol, ribose, and arabinose comprises only xylitol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition comprises xylitol in a concentration of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of xylitol, xylose, erythritol, ribose, and arabinose in a concentration of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises a viscosity of between about 50 and about 300 centipoise at room temperature. 
     
     
         12 . A composition for alleviating a sore throat condition, the composition comprising:
 at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol in a concentration effective for reducing a concentration of sore-throat causing microorganisms in a patient's throat; and   at least one coating agent in a concentration effective for prolonging the presence of the at least one non-hexose sugar alcohol in a patient's throat to treat the sore throat condition.   
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one coating agent comprises at least one of glycerin, sodium alginate, propylene glycol, and carboxymethylcellulose sodium. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one of an expectorant, an anti-mucosal agent, and a mucolytic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of an expectorant, an anti-mucosal agent, and a mucolytic agent comprises at least one of  eucalyptus  oil, licorice root, guaifenesin,  guaiacum,  phenylephrine HCL,  echinacea,  and holy basil. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12 , further comprising an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the antibacterial agent comprises at least one of an anise seed extract, a star anise extract, and  propolis.    
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the antibacterial agent comprises anise oil. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises a viscosity of between about 50 and about 300 centipoise at room temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises a viscosity of between about 80 and about 200 centipoise at room temperature.